Oliver’s insights:- Harris versus Trump – implications for investors and Australia

The US election has significant potential to impact markets. A Harris victory would mean more of the same, but a Trump victory could lead to uncertainty particularly around trade.

Seven things you need to know about the Australian property market

The Australian housing market has started the year on a solid note with national home prices up 1.6% over the first three months according to CoreLogic. We had thought the drag of high mortgage rates would get the upper hand again but the supply shortfall is continuing to dominate.

Econosights – wages breakout

Australia’s labour market has held up better than expected, despite the biggest interest rate hiking cycle since the late 1980s. Recently released data on newly lodged Enterprise Bargaining Agreements are showing a spike in wages growth which are increasing concerns that a wages breakout will threaten the inflation outlook.

Oliver’s insights – optimism as an investor

It seems that the worry list for investors has become more threatening and confusing. However, to succeed, it makes sense to err on the side of cautious optimism: otherwise, there is no point in investing; growth assets like shares have trended up over the long term; and trying to get the timing right of the 2 or 3 years out of 10 when they fall can be very hard.

Econosights – financial literacy gender gap

More than one third of adults in Australia are financially illiterate, with opportunities for improvement. There is also a gender gap in financial literacy in Australia. Women tend to have lower financial literacy than men. In Australia, the gender gap is larger compared to our global peers.

Market Update 12 August 2022 | AMP Capital

Market Update 12 August 2022   Investment markets & key developments The share market rebound continued over the last week helped by weaker than expected US inflation data. Australian shares were little changed though with strong gains in resources largely offset by sharp falls in IT, health and property shares. Bond yields generally rose as the fall in yields in prior weeks had gone a little too far too fast. Oil prices rose partly due …

Five reasons why the RBA cash rate is likely to peak (or should peak) with a 2 in front of it rather than a 3 (or more) | AMP Capital

Five reasons why the RBA cash rate is likely to peak (or should peak) with a 2 in front of it rather than a 3 (or more) Key points The RBA has hiked the cash rate by another 0.5% taking it to 1.85% and signalling more hikes ahead. We see the cash rate peaking around 2.6% which is at the low end of market and economists’ expectations. Market & consensus expectations for rates to rise …

Australian GDP slowed in the June quarter & will be hit hard by the lockdowns – but here’s 7 reasons to look beyond the gloom | AMP Capital

Australian GDP slowed in the June quarter & will be hit hard by the lockdowns – but here’s 7 reasons to look beyond the gloom Key Points Australian GDP growth slowed in the June quarter but to a stronger than expected +0.7%qoq. This avoids a technical recession, but the current quarter is likely to see a 4% slump due to the lockdowns. While there is lots of gloom around there remains strong reason for optimism …

How the gender pay gap is causing problems for Aussie women: Now and in the future | Money & Life

How the gender pay gap is causing problems for Aussie women: Now and in the future Women are entering retirement with significantly less superannuation and personal savings than men – leading to a growing class of women living out their golden years in poverty. We explore how the gender pay gap is adding to this growing epidemic. While most people have heard of the ‘gender pay gap’ (GPG), many of us are less familiar with …

2021 – A list of lists regarding the macro investment outlook

2021 – A list of lists regarding the macro investment outlook Key points 2020 turned out far better for investors than was feared. 2021 is expected to provide solid returns & see a further rotation from pandemic winners to cyclical investments. Watch: coronavirus and vaccines; US politics; China tensions; inflation; & the hit to immigration in Australia. Introduction 2020 turned out far better for diversified investors than had been feared when the pandemic hit triggering …